Laser-induced synthesis of Ag nanoparticles on the silanized surface of a fiber taper and applications as a SERS probe

Abstract

A surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) tapered fiber probe was prepared by silanization of the surface of an optical fiber with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) and subsequent laser-induced synthesis of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the silanized fiber taper. We revealed that the fiber taper after silanization can anchor AgNPs at far higher particle coverage density and faster anchoring rate in the following laser-induced reaction than the naked fiber taper. The SERS activity of the fiber probe was demonstrated with the detection of 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) aqueous solution. The experimental results indicate that the silanized fiber probe with the optimal laser-induced time exhibited very strong SERS activity and good measurement reproducibility.